Ministries

Senior Pastor Dean Wheeler

I have been the Senior Pastor of Shepherd of the Lakes since 1997. I grew up in Northern California, living in the largest valley in the continental United States; I never drove in snow until I moved to Wisconsin.
As a child I worshiped at a traditional Lutheran church where I received solid theological teaching and much love. When I was thirteen years old I attended a Billy Graham Rally at the Oakland Coliseum where I gave my life to Christ and received Him as Lord and Savior. The spiritual life of my childhood home was overseen by my Mom (my Dad having died when I was five) who was a full-fledged Holy Spirit filled and empowered believer. I have a great appreciation for these three streams of Christianity- Lutheran, Evangelical and the Pentecostal movement.

I attended and graduated from a college in Tacoma, Washington, receiving a degree in Elementary Education. I did my seminary work in Berkley, California, attending Pacific Lutheran Theological.

I am married to (Pastor) Lisa Stafford and we have two children: Claire, and Zachariah both adults. One thing I love to do is brag on my wife who loves to serve Jesus.

Also, I enjoy reading suspense-mysteries and sci-fi. I like biking, hiking and snowshoeing (it makes winter bearable; you can take the kid out of California but not California out of the kid!) This last year I have taken up coffee roasting-yes!

The most fun I’ve ever had is when I … Was tubing down the Mokelumne River with my friends, on any one of the 100+ degree days while growing up.

How I’d blow $100 if I had to spend it on myself… If I had $1000 to blow it would be on an upgraded coffee roaster. Oh, it’s only $100? Ok then $100 bucks worth of sample coffee green beans. Let’s experiment!

What is your favorite dessert or restaurant? My favorite dessert is chocolate torte cake. And my favorite restaurant would be anything Mediterranean or Greek.

All time favorite movies… 1. ‘Paint Your Wagon’ – where have all the cowboy musicals gone? 2. ‘Aliens’ ok, so I like to be scared a little. 3. ‘A Little Romance’ -chick flick alert but good. 4. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ -wow.